The Model 83 was a submission put forward by Grumman to the United States Navy (USN) as a single-seat, single-engine jet fighter. The proposal was revealed in early September of 1947 and intended for carrier-based operations - as a fighter it could carry a battery of 4 x 20mm cannon (never fitted) as well as bombs and rockets for the strike role. Unlike other early-generation jet fighters, the Model 83 was to fit the APS-19 radar. The wing mainplanes were fitted amidships and sported sweepback along the leading edges while the tail section, encompassing a single fin, mounted the horizontal planes high (forming a "T" style tail unit). The jet engine would be aspirated through wingroot intakes keeping the nose free for armament and radar. The cockpit was set ahead of midships with generally good vision for the pilot.
It was intended that the aircraft would take on the British Rolls-Royce "Nene" turbojet engine as the "XJ42-TT-2" to be produced locally by Taylor Turbine. The engine was to produce up to 5,000 lb of dry thrust output and featured an afterburning capability which would increase thrust to 8,000 lb for short periods. The prototype designation for the Model 83 became "XF10F-1" and an April 1948 USN contract followed for two machines (one flyable and other a static test article). The name "Jaguar" was eventually associated with the design.
Instead of the variable incidence wing, Grumman managed to convince USN authorities that a variable-geometry wing would solve ongoing handling issues at low- and high-speeds and this was then installed on the finalized prototype. The product achieved its first flight in prototype on May 19th, 1952. Sufficiently impressed, the USN followed an order for 112 machines under the model designation of "F10F".
Despite the push forward, the Jaguar ended its service life as only a single prototype (the second prototype lay incomplete before the end). There proved too many issues (performance, technically and mechanically related) for the Jaguar to overcome - performance from the temperamental XJ40-WE-8 engine led to an underpowered aircraft as thrust output reached only 6,800 lb during tests. The variable-geometry wing worked as planned but proved a bit too impractical for frontline carrier-based fighter use. As a result, the Model 83 / XF10F project was ended where it stood (and the production order subsequently cancelled) during April 1953. Despite this, the exposure for Grumman engineers was priceless despite the overall "failure" of the product in question - the "swing-wing" capability was used to perfection in the Grumman F-14 "Tomcat" fleet defense fighter of the 1970s.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
AIR-TO-AIR COMBAT
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
MARITIME / NAVY
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
X-PLANE
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
55.8 ft (17.00 meters) Length
50.6 ft (15.42 meters) Width/Span
16.2 ft (4.95 meters) Height
20,426 lb (9,265 kilograms) Empty Weight
35,450 lb (16,080 kilograms) Maximum Take-Off Weight
+15,025 lb (+6,815 kg) Weight Difference
1 x Westinghouse XJ40-WE-8 turbojet engine developing 6,800lb of thrust. Propulsion
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
